Rotary engine.



No. 861,918. v 'PATB'NTED JULY so, 1907.

E. fr. THOMAS.

-ROTARY ENGINE. APPLIoA'rIoN FILED Arn,1a.1ooe.

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' PATBNTED JULY 30, 1907.

E. T. THOMAS. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLIGATIQN um) .123.123.1905.

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EDDY THOMAS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1907.

Application filed April 18, 1906. Serial No. 312,346.

To all whom it may conca-n:

Be it known that I, EDDY T. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvement in Steam Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specication.

The object of this invention is to produce a rotary steam engine with a circumferential steam chest formed between the inner wall of the cylinder andthe periphery of the piston, that the steam may be confined to the periphery of the said piston, thereby gaining by leverage a large percent of power with the same units of heat over engines classed as reciprocating, a fmther object is te automatically open and close the ports that the steam at each revolution may be shut off and allowed to expand the same as in the "Corliss engines, thereby economizing in fuel in addition to the leverage.

A further object is to admit the steam-between a fixed head and a rotary piston in the same manner or principle as steam is admitted between the heads and piston of a reciprocating engine and at the same time to avoid the reversing motion.

A still further object is to provide means to regulate the port valves so they can be readily set to remain open a longer or shorter time.

The invention consists in a stationary cylinder forming the outer wall of a steam chest, and a4 rotary piston the periphery of which forms the inner wall, the said piston being provided with a pivoted lug extending to the inner wall of the cylinder, a fixed lug secured to the inner wall of the said cylinder extending to the periphery of the piston, an automatic opening and closing port valve to admit steam between the pivoted and fixed lugs, a cam or inclined plane to swing the pivoted lug and exhaust recesses leading from said steam chest, a piston packing ring spring yielding packing for the lugs and a recess for the pivoted lug in the periphery of the piston. 7

Figure 1 represents a side view of the engine showing valves, cams and pipe. Fig. 2 is an edge view of Fig. l. Fig. 3 represents Fig. 1 having one of the heads removed showing the interior werking parts. Fig. 4 shows the spring and cross section of the ring packing of the piston. Fig. 5 is a side view of the fixed lug and cam of the cylinder. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a side view of the. pivoted lug. Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the port valves and seats. Fig. 9 shows the pivoted lug to form a part of the cylinder and the fixed lug located on the piston. Fig. 10 shows the fixed lug and cam as forming a part of the piston while the adjustable lug or gate slides in the cylinder casing. Fig. 11 represents a pivoted lug having steam port located central to equalize the steam pressure and Fig. 12 shows a spring and cam operatedl shaft to take theplace of the adjustable lue.

A in the several figures represents a cylinder cast integral with the base A1, this cylinder supports the side flanges A1 which form bearings A5 for the arbor A3. A4 Figs. l 2 and 3 is a piston secured to the arbor A3, which being of less diameter than the inner circumference of the cylinder A forms a space A6 which constitutes the steam chest, and in which are located the several parts that form the lugs also the ports for the steam.

E Figs. 3 and 4 is a metal packing ring which by aid of the springs E1 reduce the friction of the piston against the flanges A2 and prevent steam from escaping from the arbor bearings A5, only Aone of these rings are shown but more may be employed in large engines.

A7 in Figs. 3 and 7 is a piston lug pivoted at its base and held open by a coiled spring Al2 these lugs in action take the place of the piston in reciprocating en gines and are forced around by the action of the steam,

rotating the arbor A3, that no steam may escape past the free end or the edge contacting with the periphery of the steam chest A( of these lugs, a thin metal spring A1l as shown in Figs. 3 and 7 is inserted to the face of the fianges, their free ends resting against the cylinder, which with the back and down pressure of the lug A7 whenever the steam is admitted forms a secure packing and also compensates -for any wear as the lugs are wider than the chest A6 Al0 Figs. 3 5and 6 is a stationary lug secured nto the Acylinder A or an integral part thereof it extends from side to side of the steam chest AG and its free edge contacts with the periphery of the piston A4 (forming and answering the purpose of the cylinder head of a reciprocating engine) confining the steam at one point, while the piston lug A7 is forced around by steam and expansion thereof.

At each end of the lug A10 and forming an integral part are cams A9 against which the back of the pivoted lugs A7 contacts causing them to swing or close into the recesses of the piston shown by dotted lines Fig. 3 as they pass the lugs A10 and to permit them to open gradually to the position shown, the two having concaved surfaces A9 merging into a convexed surface forming a curved line of inner and outer circles which prevent lug A7 from leaving the periphery of the steam chest A thereby preventing any blow or noise in closing or opening.

C Figs. 1 2 and 8 are port valve lugs formed integral with the side A2 through which a tapering valve seat is formed as shown in Fig. 1 and O9 Fig. 8. C1 Figs. 1 2 3 and 8 is a tapering valve having a recess from the inner end up to a little beyond the dotted line Fig. 2 which intercepts the port hole O10.

O2 Figs. 1 and 2 is a crank arm secured to the outer end of the valve stem C1, it is provided with a stud C3 and a roll G4 which contacts with the periphery of the cams B and B1 causing the valve C1 to turn, so the port C10 Fig. 8 may be closed as shown or swung to the end of the feed pipe C5; by the aid oi this construction the ports are opened when the lug A7 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 and closed when the lug A7 reaches the dotted line .x3 shutting off the steam which expands until the lug A7' is opposite the dotted lines x1 at this point the exhaust begins.

Bland B1 are cams secured to the arbor A3, these cams are cut in duplicate each provided with two gradual elevations B1 diametrically opposite, and two sharp inclines, B5 also opposite each other, but before placing them upon the arbor A3, they are reversed as shown in Fig. 1 and secured by the bolt B3, this position oi the bolt in the center of the slot B2 brings the two gradual elevations Bt1 on each of the cams, this junction at B0 orrn a double elevation for the roll G4 to pass over, which keeps the ports open the full or longest time, by aid oi the opposite. adjustment the ports are closed quicker giving the steam more time to expand. The rolls O4 are held against the cams B and B1 by any suitable spring (not shown).

The pipes C5, G0 G7 and C8 are feed pipes to carry the steam into the ports as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

D D1 and D2 are exhaust pipes located as shown in Figs. 1 2 and 3. i

In Figs. 9 10 11 and 12 the piston AJL is provided with a fixed lug A7 which in Figs. 9 10 and 1l are provided with a cam section A9 which gradually moves the pivoted and sliding heads F to permit the iixed piston head A7 to pass,

In Fig. 9 the revolving head F pivoted at F1 has four sections or teeth which represent gear teeth, at each revolution of the piston this revolving head F-. is turned one quarter laround by the advancing lug A7 and is locked in place by the spring bolt F4.

F. in Fig. 1 0 is a sliding head and is automatically closed by the spring at its upper end and opened to permit the piston lug A7 to pass by the cam A9.

F Fig. 11 operates in the same manner as F in Fig. 9, only a spring F2 keeps it in a vertical position.

A13 in Figs. 9 10 and 11 is an extra cap secured to the cylinder A.

G in Fig. 12 shows how the sliding head G2 can be worked from the side by aid of the cam G and the projecting rim G1 which push the head in while the spring G3 open it.

A15 in Figs. 5 and 6 show a spring metal packing to prevent steam from going back of the head A10 the spring A16 is coiled and very light so as to avoid extra friction, the same form oi' packing for the piston head A7 and is shown at A1A1 Fig. l1.

In Fig. 3 the piston Ais provided with two lugs A7 and the cylinder' A has two cams A1 and heads A111, there may be more or less and the cams A9 reversed or located on the piston A4 as shown in Fig. 10.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In combination, the cylinder' A, the flanges A2 the rotary piston A'1 having lug A7\ and the lug A10 having two concaved surfaces A0 merging into a convexed surface forming a continuous inner and outer circle, which permits the lug A7 to be closed and opened without any noise or jumping from one point to another all forming the Walls of a circular steam chest A0 around the periphery of the piston A1' in which steam is alternately admitted, shut off, expanded and exhausted as set forth.

2. In combination, the cylinder A, the flanges A2 hzfving arbor bearings A5, the rotary piston A4 mounted on the arbor A11 or an integral part thereof, the packing ring E located in the end ot' the piston A1, the metal packing ring spring E to press the said ring against the ange A2 a peripherical steam chest A having stationary and rotary Walls, a stationary cylinder head A10 the concaved surfaces A0 merging into a convexed surface and the periphery of the chest A0 and a revolving piston head A7 between which the steam is admitted, shut off and expanded as set forth.

In combination, the cylinderA, the flanges A2.the rotary piston A1, the piston head A7 the metal springl packing plate A11 secured to the head, the cylinder head A10 and cam A0 as set forth.

4c. In combination, the cylinder A, heads A2, rotary piston A1, the heads A7 and A10 operating in the path of the cir-l cular steam chest A0, cam A0 having concaved surfaces merging into a convexed circle, forming an unbroken curve line to operate the pliston A7 the port C and exhaust D2 as set forth.

5. In combination, the cylinder A, heads A2, rotary piston A4, the heads A7 and A10 the cam A0 having concaved and convexed curves forming a series of curves with the periphery of the steam chest A0, which permits the head A7 to bear constantly against the said periphery, concaved and convexed curves, operating in the steam chest A0 the port C', valve C0 and exhaust D2 as set forth.

(3. ln combination, the cylinder A, heads A2, rotary piston AA1 heads A7 and A10, the cam A0, port C', valve C0, crank arm C2 provided with stud C3 and roll CL and cams BA B as set forth.

1. In combination, the cylinder A, heads' A2, rotary piston A1, heads A7 and A10, the cam A, port C', valve C, crank arm C2 provided with stud C0 and roll C4 and adjustable cams B B having elevations B'1 and depressions B5 to control the time of keeping the port C open and shutting off the steam from the chest A0 as set forth.

8. In combination, the cylinder A, heads A2, rotary piston A4, heads A7 and A10, cam A0 port C, valve C2 having steam passage C1", crank arm C2, stud C0, roll C4, adjustable cams B. B. having screw B"1 and slot B2 elevations BLl and depressions B5 as set forth.

9. In combination, the cylinder A, heads A2, rotary piston A4, ring packing E, heads A7 and A10, cam A0 to close a sliding head in the steam chest C2, port C', crank arm C2 provided with stud and roll, cams B B and exhaust D2 as set forth.

ln testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDDY T. THOMAS.

Witnesses HARRY .T MATTERN, J. H. IL\Pr. 

